A list of all the things people believe will make them
happy can have surprising answers. For instance, one taken in 2015 had the
following (and more like them) on their list of 50: Sleeping in a freshly-made
bed. Feeling the sun on your face. People saying "thank you" or a
random act of kindness from a stranger. Finding money in unexpected places.
Having time to myself. Laughing so hard it hurts. (Link)
Another list of a dozen items is mostly about relationships. Other people can
make us happy.
As I read this, I thought how nice it would be if my name
was on someone’s list of ‘things that make me happy.’ Today’s devotional verses
say that this has possibilities. Jesus said:
“Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.’ Now this he said about the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were to receive, for as yet the Spirit had not been given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.” (John 7:38–39)
Two notable truths jump out of these verses. One is that
the Holy Spirit flows out of the hearts of believers. Since the Holy Spirit is
the source of joy, then this joy is part of the flow. How wonderful to be
joyful, not just for my own self but for those around me. I know people like
that; they just make me happy. One is a little girl of about four. She sends
her drawings to me in the mail and shyly smiles at me every Sunday morning.
Another is a woman in her nineties. Last week she liked the pants I was wearing
and asked me to leave them to her in my will. She makes me happy.
The second thing I notice is that the Spirit of God was
given when Jesus was glorified. Tozer says this is a spiritual principle: The
Holy Spirit will not flood from His people unless they are glorifying Jesus
Christ. He adds that by dedicating myself to the glory of Jesus, the Holy Spirit
takes the initiative to deepen my walk, to raise me up to a closer relationship
with the Lord, to open my eyes to increasing knowledge of Him, and to fill and
bless me.
When this happens in relationship with other believers,
the flow becomes a river, an overwhelming abundance of joy that we bring to one
another. This joy is not only our strength as God’s people, it is our unity —
like a gentle song sung in incredible harmony . . .
“May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God.” (Romans 15:5–7)
Tozer says, to glorify Jesus is the business of the
Church, and to glorify Jesus is the work of the Holy Spirit. My part is to keep
short accounts with God and with others, and to walk in loving obedience.
^^^^^^^^^^^
Lord Jesus, when Your people are filled with Your Spirit,
we make each other happy. This is such a wonderful gift of grace and mercy.
Fill my heart to overflowing, today and always. It would be wonderful to one
day see a survey of what makes people happy that puts Jesus Christ and His
church at the top of the list.
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